Automated system for lighting control

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a signal indicating that a timeout timer associated with a space has been has crossed a threshold in a space. If a motion sensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending a signal to a connector operatively coupled to a light source such that the connector reverts to a default state. If (1) a motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) a light sensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending a signal to the connector such that the connector is controlled by the light sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/156,680, entitled “Automated System for Lighting Control,” filed May4, 2015; the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/521,884, entitled “Automated System for Lighting Control,” filed Oct.23, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/894,899 entitled, “Automated System for Lighting Control,”filed Oct. 23, 2013; the disclosure of each of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/848,667, entitled “Wireless Sensor System, Method and Apparatus withSwitch and Outlet Control,” filed Mar. 21, 2013, which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/613,753, entitled “WirelessSensor System with Switch and Outlet Control,” filed Mar. 21, 2012; thedisclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Some embodiments described herein relate generally to wireless sensorsystems, methods and apparatus with switch and outlet control.

Known systems exist for remotely controlling power to switches andoutlets. Such system, however, may use long cabling runs to control anindividual switch or outlet. Other known system may frequently usebattery power, causing rapid depletion of onboard batteries and/or mayuse additional cabling to provide power to local switch and outletcontrollers.

Thus, a need exists for a wireless sensor systems, methods and apparatuswith switch and outlet control.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a wireless sensor configuredto be operatively coupled to a network gateway device that is configuredto receive one of a first data packet or a second packet from thewireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the firstdata packet at a first time on a first frequency, the first data packetincluding a payload associated with a value of a measurement that wasmeasured by the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured tosend the second data packet at a second time on a second frequency, thesecond data packet includes a payload associated with the value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junction boxaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor coupled to anetwork gateway device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a wireless sensor according to anembodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a front view of a wireless sensor accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a side view of the wireless sensor shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a wireless sensor, a faceplate, and ajunction box according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a front perspective view of an antenna ofa wireless sensor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of the antennashown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a second rear perspective view of theantenna shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of a front perspective view of the antennashown in FIG. 17 at least partially disposed in a junction box accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of the antennashown in FIG. 17 at least partially disposed in a junction box accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a second rear perspective view of theantenna shown in FIG. 17 at least partially disposed in a junction boxaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of a lighting control systemaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a lighting controlsystem according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration of multiple gateways interfacing aproxy server connected to a cloud server according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are schematic illustrations of a wireless switchaccording to a first and second embodiment, respectively.

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustration of a flow chart of method ofoperating a lighting control system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a signal indicatingthat a timeout timer associated with a space has crossed a threshold. Ifa motion sensor is disposed within the space, the method includessending a signal to a wireless controller operatively coupled to a lightsource such that the wireless controller reverts to a default state. If(1) a motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) a lightsensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending asignal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller iscontrolled by the light sensor.

In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a signal from thelight sensor indicating that a lux level of the space is below apredetermined level, and sending a signal to the wireless controller tocauses the light in the space to brighten. In some embodiments, themethod includes receiving a signal from the light sensor indicating thata lux level of the space is above a predetermined level and sending asignal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controllercauses a light in the space to dim. In some embodiments, if a motionsensor is disposed within the space, the method includes resetting, inresponse to an indication from the motion sensor that the space isoccupied, the timeout timer. In some embodiments, the timeout timer isset for thirty minutes. In some embodiments, if the (1) the motionsensor is not disposed within the space and (2) a light sensor is notdisposed within the space, the method includes sending, in response toan indication that the space is not scheduled to be occupied, a signalto the wireless controller such that the wireless controller reverts tothe default state. In some such embodiments, the default state is OFF.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network gateway device. Thenetwork gateway device is configured to be wirelessly coupled to (1) awireless switch, (2) a light sensor disposed in a space, and (3) awireless controller coupled to a light that is configured provide a luxlevel to the space. The network gateway device configured to receive,from the light sensor, an indication of an ambient light level of thespace. The network gateway device is configured to receive, from thewireless switch, a signal indicative of a request for the light to beturned on. The network gateway device is configured to send, to thewireless controller, a command configured to cause the light to increasein brightness an amount based on the ambient light of the space.

In some embodiments, the network gateway device is configured to receivea signal indicating that a timeout timer has crossed a threshold, and,if a motion sensor is disposed within the space, the network gatewaydevice is configured to send a signal to the wireless controller suchthat the wireless controller reverts to a default state. In some suchembodiments, the default state is ON. In some embodiments, the networkgateway device is configured to receive a data packet including anidentification of a motion sensor disposed within the space and thenetwork gateway device is configured to associate the motion sensor withthe wireless controller. In some embodiments, the network gateway deviceis configured to receive, from the light sensor, an indication of thelux level of the space and the network gateway device is configured tosend signal to the wireless controller such that a brightness level ofthe light changes to maintain the lux level of the space within apredetermined range. In some such embodiments, the predetermined rangeis between 350 and 450. In some embodiments, the network gateway deviceis wirelessly coupled to the wireless controller via two channelssimultaneously.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a wireless controllerconfigured to be operatively coupled to a light that is configured toselectively provide a lux level to a space. The wireless controller isconfigured to be wirelessly coupled to (1) a network gateway device thatis wirelessly coupled to a light sensor and (2) a wireless switch. Thewireless controller is configured to receive, from the network gatewaydevice in response to the network gateway device receiving a requestfrom the wireless switch, an instruction to increase a brightness of thelight an amount based on a data from the light sensor indicative of thelux level of the space. The wireless controller is configured to send asignal to the light such that the brightness of the light is increased.

In some embodiments, the wireless controller is configured to beline-powered and the wireless switch is configured to bebattery-powered. In some embodiments, the wireless controller isconfigured to wirelessly couple the light sensor to the network gatewaydevice by repeating all packets received from the light sensor to thenetwork gateway device. In some embodiments, the wireless controller isconfigured to receive an indication of a lost connection with thenetwork gateway device and the wireless controller is configured to, inresponse to the lost connection, default to an ON state. In someembodiments, the wireless controller is configured to receive, from thenetwork gateway device, a signal to revert to a default state inresponse to the network gateway device receiving (1) a signal indicatingthat a timeout timer crossed a threshold and (2) an indication from amotion sensor that the space in unoccupied.

In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a signal indicatingthat a timeout timer associated with a space has crossed a threshold. Ifa motion sensor is disposed within the space, the method includessending a signal to a wireless controller operatively coupled to a lightsource within the space such that the wireless controller reverts to adefault state. If (1) a motion sensor is not disposed within the spaceand (2) an indication is received that the space is not scheduled to beoccupied, the method includes sending a signal to the wirelesscontroller such that the wireless controller reverts to the defaultstate.

In some embodiments, if (1) the motion sensor is not disposed within thespace and (2) an indication is received that the space is scheduled tobe occupied, the method includes allowing the wireless controller tocontinue in a present state. In some embodiments, the method includesreceiving, from a battery-powered capacitive touch switch, a signalindicative of a request to increase a brightness of the light source. Insome embodiments, the method includes receiving, from a battery-poweredcapacitive touch switch, a signal indicative of a request to reduce abrightness of the light source. In some embodiments, the method includesreceiving, from a battery-powered capacitive touch switch, a signalindicative of a request to turn off the light source.

A wireless sensor system can be used to measure and monitorenvironmental characteristics of, for example, a room of a building,characteristics of a wireless sensor itself, for example, whether a plugis in use, and/or to effect a characteristic of a room or the wirelesssensor. By way of example, a wireless sensor can include a light oroutlet switch configured to sense and/or control whether an electricalswitch controlling a light or outlet is opened or closed. In anotherexample, a wireless sensor can include carbon monoxide sensor configuredto measure a level of carbon monoxide in an area. In some embodiments,aspects of a wireless sensor system can be retrofitted into an existingsystem without the need to make additional changes to the existingsystem. For example, a light switch type wireless sensor describedherein can replace an existing light switch without the need to addadditional wiring, replace junction boxes, etc.

As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, the term “a data packet” is intended to mean a datapacket or a combination of data packets.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system(“system”) 100 according to an embodiment, system 100 includes awireless sensor 110. In some embodiments, at least a portion of thewireless sensor 110 may be disposed within an electrical enclosure (notshown). System 100 includes a wireless repeater 130, a wireless repeater130′, and a network gateway device 140.

System 100 includes a wireless sensor 110 that is configured to measurea characteristic of wireless sensor 110 and/or of a room with whichwireless sensor 110 is located. In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110can include an environmental sensor, for example, to measure atemperature, pressure, carbon gas levels, humidity etc. In someembodiments, wireless sensor 110 can include an area sensor, forexample, to measure motion, light level, proximity, touch, etc. In someembodiments, wireless sensor 110 can include an electrical sensor, forexample, to measure and/or control an energy usage, switch state, outletstate, etc. In some embodiments, at least a portion of wireless sensor110 can be disposed within the electrical enclosure. In someembodiments, an electrical enclosure can be a standard electricaljunction box, for example, a metal and/or plastic box that is configuredto be disposed in and/or on a wall and/or other support, and that isconfigured to house one or more electrical connections and/or associatedcomponents, for example, switches, outlets, etc. In some embodiments,the electrical enclosure can generally be any enclosure normally used tohouse AC or DC wiring electrical connections, such as groundedenclosures (e.g. light fixtures, breaker boxes, distribution panels,etc.). In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110 can include a sensormodule (not shown in FIG. 1), processor module (not shown in FIG. 1), afirst radio module (not shown in FIG. 1), a second radio module (notshown in FIG. 1), a first antenna (not shown in FIG. 1), a secondantenna (not shown in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110can include a battery (not shown), a switch (not shown), ananalog-to-digital converter (not shown), ports (not shown), interfaces(not shown), etc. In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110 can operateas a wireless repeater, for example, similar to wireless repeater 130described below, for other wireless sensors.

Wireless sensor 110 can include the sensor module to measure a value ofa characteristic of wireless sensor 110 and/or an environment withinwhich wireless sensor 110 is located. For example, the sensor module canmeasure an environmental value (temperature, pressure, motion etc), amotion and/or occupancy value, and/or a characteristic and/or state ofan electrical component associated with wireless sensor 110 (open orclosed light switch, electrical outlet plugged in or in use, etc). Insome embodiments, the sensor module can be included in the processormodule. The sensor module can measure the value at a predetermined timeand/or on a predetermined schedule, in response to an event, etc. Thesensor module can provide the value of a measurement to the processormodule. In some embodiments, sensor module 110 can include a clockmodule (not shown) to prompt a measurement based on the predeterminedtime and/or schedule. In such embodiments, the clock module can includea “loose tolerance” of between about 5-10%. In such an embodiment, theclock module can include an RC based oscillator to implement the loosetolerance. In such embodiments, the RC based oscillator can be includedin the processor module. In this manner, a system 100 that includes morethan one wireless sensor 110 that each includes a clock module havingsubstantially the same setting can, via radio/antenna sets, send signalsat different times to reduce communication collisions. In some suchembodiments, the clock can determine when a measurement is taken and/orwhen a data packet including the value of the measurement is sent. Thepredetermined time for measuring a value and/or transmitting anassociated packet can be programmed, user adjustable via an inputdevice, event driven, randomly derived, or set by network gateway device140.

Wireless sensor 110 can include a processor module to define at leastone data packet including values associated with measurements of thesensor module. The sensor module can define one or more copies of theone or more data packets. A data packet can include sensor data (e.g.value of measurement taken by the sensor module), control data (e.g. aswitch has been opened or closed), control requests (e.g. should aswitch be opened or closed), network identification information (e.g.node identification number, network identification number), securityinformation (e.g. data encryption key), etc. The processor module caninclude a computer processor or microprocessor and/or memory, forexample a random access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, adatabase, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), anelectrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or so forth. Memorycan be used to hold data such as, but not limited to, schedules, setpoints, instructions, etc. for use to control or communicate data towireless sensor 110, repeaters 130, 131′, or network gateway device 140.In this manner, the processor module stores and sends the at least onedata packet and the one or more copies of the at least one data packetto the first radio and/or to the second radio at different times. Inthis manner, wireless sensor 110 can send a data packet, which mayinclude the value of the measurement, control data, control requestsetc, at more than one time and from more than one antenna.

Wireless sensor 110 can include one or more transmitter sets, forexample a first transmitter set (e.g, the first radio and the associatedfirst antenna), and a second transmitter set (e.g., the second radio andassociated second antenna), to transmit data packets including a valueof a measurement, control data, control requests etc from wirelesssensor 110 to, for example, wireless repeaters 130, 130′. A transmitterset can transmit a data packet using any modulation type, for exampleDirect Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) or Frequency Hopping SpreadSpectrum (FHSS). In some embodiments, a hybrid DSSS and FSSS system,frequency hopping direct sequence spread spectrum (FHDSSS), can be usedspreading data packets across both frequency and time to reduce theprobability of interference from other transmitter sets (e.g., withinwireless sensor 110, another wireless sensor, or another deviceincluding a transmitter set). In a hybrid system, the data packet can betransmitted using a DSSS signal that can be hopped from channel tochannel to increase robustness. In some embodiments, the first antennaand/or the second antenna can be a dipole (e.g., omnidirectional)antenna or can be a patch (e.g., directional) antenna.

In some embodiments, each transmitter set of wireless sensor 110 canoperate on a different channel substantially simultaneously. In someembodiments, a transmitter set of wireless sensor 110 can operate on twoor more different channel sequentially. In this manner, wireless sensor110 may not need to verify that other components of system 100 areoperating on a particular channel. In other words, by sending a copy ofa data packet on multiple channels of system 100, the other componentsof system 100 should receive at least one of the data packet and/or thecopies of the data packet. In some such embodiments, and as discussedbelow, other components of system 100 can include multiple transmittersets, such that those components can receive at least one of the datapacket and/or copies of the data packet. In such embodiments, an amountof energy used to send a data packet and/or copies of a data packet atmultiple times and/or on multiple channels can be lower than the energyused to verify a component is operating on a particular channel. In suchembodiments, a first channel and a second channel can be substantiallyopposite ends of the frequency band to maximize the probability that anysource of potential interference is avoided by the other channel. As anexample wireless sensor 110 can transmit, substantially simultaneouslyor sequentially, on a first channel at 903 MHz and on a second channelat 927 MHz in the 902-928 MHz band.

In some embodiments, and as described above, wireless sensor 110 cansend a data packet and/or copies of the data packet on two or morechannels and at two or more times. In such embodiments, wireless sensor110 can be in a sleep mode (or other low power or zero power mode ofoperation) for a portion of the time to conserve the power of a powersupply (e.g., battery). At the predetermined interval and/or schedule,wireless sensor 110 can awake from the sleep mode and can be in anactive mode. Wireless sensor 110 can measure a value of a characteristicand define a data packet including the value. Wireless sensor 110 candefine a data packet including control data or control requests. In suchembodiments, as discussed above, wireless sensor 110 can send a datapacket via a first transmitter set at a first time, and then send afirst copy of the data packet from the first transmitter set at a secondtime, after the first time. In such embodiments, wireless sensor 110 cansend a second copy of the data packet via a second transmitter set at athird time, and then send a third copy of the data packet from thesecond transmitter set at a fourth time, after the third time.

In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110 can receive data for setup ofsystem 100, including a network ID, security features, and a wirelesssensor identification numbers. In some embodiments, after the setup ofsystem 100, wireless sensor 110 can be designated as a transmit-onlywireless sensor. In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110 canperiodically send a status request data packet to network gateway device140, via wireless repeater 130 and wireless repeater 130′ if necessary,and can be designated as a transmit/receive device to receive commends.

System 100 includes wireless repeater 130 configured to receive datapackets from wireless sensor 110 and/or wireless repeater 130′, and tosend data packets to network gateway device 140. System 100 includeswireless repeater 130′, similar to wireless repeater 130, and configuredto receive data packets from wireless sensor 110 and to send datapackets to wireless repeater 130. Wireless repeaters 130,130′ caninclude a computer/micro processor or microprocessor and/or memory, forexample a random access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, adatabase, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), anelectrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or so forth. Memorymay be used to hold data such as, but not limited to, schedules, setpoints, instructions, etc. for use to control or communicate data towireless sensor 110, repeaters 130, 131′, or network gateway device 140.In this manner, wireless repeaters 130, 130′ can store received datapackets for a predetermined period of time in a buffer. In someembodiments, the buffer of a wireless repeater can store a received datapacket and can compare the data packet to other data packets in thebuffer and/or data packets that have been recently received and/orforwarded. In such embodiments, the wireless repeater can discardduplicate data packets. By way of example, wireless repeater 130 canreceive a first data packet from wireless sensor 110, and can receive asecond data packet, identical to the first data packet, from wirelesssensor 110 via wireless repeater 130′. In such embodiments, wirelessrepeater 130 can discard either the first data packet or the second datapacket, for example, based on which was received first (e.g., first infirst out, “FIFO”), which has a stronger received signal strength,and/or another metric. In some embodiments, wireless repeater 130 candiscard packets after a period of time, for example 5 seconds.

Wireless repeaters 130,130′ can include at least one transmitter set toreceive and/or send signals, including data packets. In someembodiments, wireless repeaters 130,130′ can include at least the samenumber of transmitter sets as wireless sensor 110. In this manner,wireless repeaters 130,130′ can send and receive any data packet sentfrom wireless sensor 110. By way of example, wireless sensor 110 caninclude a first transmitter set sending data packets on a first channeland at a first time and a second time, and can include a secondtransmitter set sending data packets on a second channel and at a thirdtime and a fourth time. In such an example, wireless repeaters 130,130′can include a first transmitter set operating on the first channel and asecond transmitter set operating on the second channel such that eitherof wireless repeaters 130,130′ can receive four copies of a data packet.By way of example, wireless sensor 110 can include a first transmitterset sending data packets on a first channel at a first time and secondchannel at a second time. In such an example, wireless repeaters130,130′ can each include a first transmitter set operating on the firstchannel and a second transmitter set operating on the second channelsuch that either of wireless repeaters 130,130′ can receive two copiesof a data packet without a need to switch between the channels. In suchan example, the system 100 can include multiple frequencies, multipletimes, multiple data paths, and multiple antennas, i.e. the system 100has frequency diversity, time diversity, spatial diversity, and antennadiversity. Said another way, the system 100 has concurrent frequency,time, spatial, and antenna diversity. By way of another example,wireless repeaters 130,130′ can each include a first transmitter setsending or receiving data packets on a first channel at a first time anda second transmitter set sending or receiving data packets on a secondchannel at a second time. In such an example, the first time and thesecond time may overlap.

In some embodiments, wireless repeaters 130,130′ can calculate areceived signal strength indication (RSSI) upon receipt of a datapacket. In such embodiments, wireless repeaters 130,130′ can add thisdata to the data packet, for example, at the end of a data packetpayload. In this manner, network gateway device 140 can examine the RSSIdata for each hop between wireless sensor 110 and network gateway device140. In some such embodiments, network gateway device 140 can use theadded data to determine a number of hops between wireless sensor 110 andnetwork gateway device 140. In such embodiments, network gateway device140 can compare the number of hops actually used to an expected numberof hops, for example, to determine an efficiency and/or health of system100.

System 100 includes network gateway device 140 configured to receivedata packets from wireless repeater 130,130′ or directly from wirelesssensor 110. Network gateway device 140 can receive data packets using awireless protocol, for example, with one or more transmitter sets, andcan convert the data packets to a wired protocol for furthertransmission via a wired network (not shown) coupled to the networkgateway device 140. By way of example, network gateway device 140 cantransform data packets received in a wireless format, for example802.15.4, WiFi, cellular (GSM, CDMA, etc.), or satellite, and convertthem into a different wireless protocol and/or a wired protocol suchas 1) Ethernet: BACnet/IP, BACnet/Ethernet, Modbus TCP, Ethenet/IP,Omron FINS, DNP3, SNMP, XML 2) RS-485: BACnet/MSTP, Metasys N2, ModbusRTU, JBus, DNP, YorkTalk, Allen Bradley DF1, and 3) FTT-10: LonWorks. Insome embodiments, network gateway device 140 can convert the datapackets to a wireless protocol for further transmission via a wirelessnetwork (not shown) such as for example 802.15.4, WiFi, cellular (GSM,CDMA, etc.), or satellite wireless networks. In such embodiments,network gateway device or wireless repeaters can have one or moreinput/outputs, each input/output configured to operate using a differentprotocol. By way of example, with respect to a building, network gatewaydevice 140 can include a first input/output operating using theBACnet/IP protocol for communication with a building heating,ventilation, and air conditioning system, can include a secondinput/output operating using the TCP/IP protocol for communication via anetwork, such as the internet, for viewing on a browser based page, andcan include a third input/output operating using a serial bus connection(e.g., universal serial bus) for local (e.g., at network gateway device140) communication, configuration, etc. The input/outputs can be used,for example, for monitoring, graphing, alarming (via email, textmessage, or other method), setup of the wireless network, etc.

Similar to wireless repeaters 130,130′ described above, in someembodiments, network gateway device 140 can include the same number oftransmitter sets as wireless sensor 110 and/or wireless repeaters130,130′. In this manner, network gateway device 140 can send and/orreceive any data packet sent from wireless sensor 110 and/or fromwireless repeaters 130,130′. Similar to wireless repeaters 130,130′ andwireless sensor 110, network gateway device 140 can include acomputer/micro processor and/or memory, for example a random accessmemory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasableread-only memory (EEPROM), and/or so forth. Memory can be used to holddata such as, but not limited to, schedules, set points, instructions,etc. for use to control or communicate data to wireless sensor 110,repeaters 130, 131′, or network gateway device 140. In this manner, thenetwork gateway device 140 can store and send data packets, for exampleprior to and/or after conversion from a first protocol to a secondprotocol, as described above, or in response to data received from theone or more input/outputs.

In some embodiments, network gateway device 140 can coordinate thefrequency of the channel (or channels for multiple transmission setembodiments) at which wireless sensor 110 and wireless repeaters130,130′ operate. In such embodiments, network gateway device cantransmit a periodic instruction to switch channel(s) and/or network ID.In such an embodiment, network gateway device 140 can send such aninstruction, for example, every ten seconds. In some embodiments,whether an instruction is sent, for example to change channel(s), andwhat the instruction includes, can be based on the health of thenetwork, for example the number of hops a data packet takes, the RSSI ofdata packet transmissions, etc. In some embodiments, network gatewaydevice 140 can coordinate the security of the wireless system 100 bytransferring security data, wirelessly or via a wired connection, suchas a security key, to the wireless sensor 110 and wireless repeaters130,130′.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor 210 at leastpartially disposed within an electrical enclosure 220. Wireless sensor210 can be similar to and can include similar components to wirelesssensor described above. For example, wireless sensor 210 can include aprocessor 216 that can be similar to the processor described above withrespect to wireless sensor 110. Wireless sensor 210 includes a sensormodule 214, the processor 216, a radio 262, a radio 262′, an antenna264, and an antenna 264′. In some embodiments, radio 262, 262′ caninclude more than one antenna, for example, radio 262 includes antenna264 and can include a second antenna (not shown). In such an embodiment,wireless sensor 210 can select whichever of antenna 264 or the secondantenna has a stronger RSSI for use by radio 262.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system(“system”) 300 according to an embodiment, system 300 can be similar tosystem 100 and can include similar components. For example, system 300includes a wireless sensor 310 that is similar to wireless sensor 110and at least a portion of which can be disposed within an electricalenclosure (not shown). System 300 includes a wireless repeater 330, awireless repeater 330′, and a network gateway device 340. Unlikewireless sensor 110 as shown in FIG. 1, wireless sensor 310 includes anenergy source 312 configured to supply wireless sensor 310 with energyindependent of an energy supply (not shown) of the electrical enclosure320. In some embodiments, energy source 312 can include a battery, forexample battery using stable battery chemistry, such as Lithium ThionylChloride or Lithium Iron Disulfide, that can chemically last up to andbeyond 25 years. In some embodiments, energy source 312 can include anenergy harvester, alone or in combination with a battery. In someembodiments, an energy harvesting device can be, for example, similar toan energy harvesting device described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,868,482,entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY RECTIFICATION FORVARIOUS LOADS,” which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system(“system”) 400 according to an embodiment. System 400 can be similar tosystem 100 and can include similar components. For example, system 400includes a wireless sensor 410 that is similar to wireless sensor 110and at least a portion of which can be disposed within an electricalenclosure (not shown). System 400 includes a wireless repeater 430, awireless repeater 430′, and a network gateway device 440. Unlike system100 as shown in FIG. 1, system 400 includes a network gateway device440′. In such embodiments, network gateway devices 440, 441′ can beconfigured to receive data packets from wireless sensor 410 and wirelessrepeaters 430,430′. In this manner, if one of network gateway devices440, 440′ should fail, the other of network gateway devices 440, 440′can continue to operate. In some embodiments network gateway device 440can be associated with a first wired network and network gateway device440′ can be associated with a second wired network, at least a portionof which can be different from the first wired network. In someembodiments, network gateway device 440 can be in communication with aportion of a set of wireless repeaters and/or wireless sensors (notshown in its entirety) of system 400, and network gateway device 440′can be in communication with a different portion of the set of wirelessrepeaters and/or wireless sensors of system 400. In such embodiments,either of wireless repeaters 430,430′ can be included in the portion ofthe plurality of wireless repeaters and/or in the different portion ofthe set of wireless repeaters.

In some embodiments, it may be necessary to install a new networkgateway device (not shown) or a second network gateway device (notshown) within the wireless sensor system. This can be performed using alisten mode initiated by a button press on the network gateway device440,440′ or by using a computer interface on the network gateway device440,440′ and graphical user interface. As an example, the wirelesssensor 410 can be connected to the network gateway device 440,440′ byconnecting a mini-USB cable between the wireless sensor 410 and thenetwork gateway device 440,440′. At this time, the network gatewaydevice 440,440′ will instruct the wireless sensor 410 via the cable toset the appropriate channel and network ID and assign the wirelesssensor 410 a unique wireless sensor ID. If a network gateway device440,440′ ceases to operate, a new network gateway device 440,440′ can bedeployed by enabling listen mode to listen to the network for apredetermined period of time and store the IDs of all wireless sensors410 and map the wireless sensor 410 data to the appropriate memorylocation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system(“system”) 500 according to an embodiment. System 500 can be similar tosystem 100 and can include similar components. For example, system 500includes a wireless sensor 510 that is similar to wireless sensor 110and at least a portion of which can be disposed within an electricalenclosure (not shown). System 500 includes a wireless repeater 530, awireless repeater 530′, and a network gateway device 540. As shown inFIG. 5, wireless sensor 510 can send a data packet C at a time t, shownas C(t). Wireless repeater 530 can receive the data packet C fromwireless sensor 510 and can determine by comparison to its buffer inmemory that the data packet C has not been sent by wireless repeater530. Wireless repeater 530 can randomly delay between about 25 ms to 100ms and can then broadcast the data packet C packet at time (t+y), shownas C(t+y). In some embodiments, because data packet C is broadcast,wireless sensor 510 can receive data packet C, the receipt of which canbe an acknowledgement of a successful transmission. In the example,wireless repeater 530′ can receive data packet C and can determine bycomparison to its buffer in memory that the packet has not been sent bywireless repeater 530′. Wireless repeater 530′ can randomly delaybetween about 25 ms to 100 ms and can then broadcast the packet at time(t+x), shown as C(t+x). The packet C(t+x) can be received by wirelessrepeater 530. Wireless repeater 530 can compare data packet C(t+x) toits buffer in memory, can determined that data packet C(t+y), equivalentto data packet C(t+x) has already been sent, and can discard and/orotherwise ignore data packet C(t+x).

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor 610 and anetwork gateway device 640 operatively coupled by a cable 650. Wirelesssensor 610 and network gateway device 640 can be similar to wirelesssensor 110 and network gateway device 140, respectively. FIG. 6 depictsa temporary hardwire connection between wireless sensor 610 and networkgateway device 640, for example, during an initial setup process.Network gateway device 640 can assign network ID, channels, dataencryption, security keys, and/or any other security feature.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of wireless sensor 710, specifically, a rockertype switch. FIG. 8 is an illustration of a front view of a wirelesssensor 810, and FIG. 9 is an illustration of a side view of wirelesssensor 810, specifically toggle (e.g., momentary) type switch. Wirelesssensors 710, 810 can be similar to and can include similar components towireless sensor 110 described above. Wireless sensors 710, 810 can beconfigured to be disposed within a standard junction box. In some suchembodiments, wireless sensors 710, 810 can include three terminals,and/or wires, to be coupled to a load line, a hot line, and a groundwithout the need for a neutral wire. In such embodiments, power foroperation of the wireless sensor 710, 810 can be obtained by a battery(not shown) contained within the wireless sensor 710,810 that can bemounted at least partially in the junction box. In some embodiments,wireless sensors 710, 810 can harvest energy by trickling a small amountof current from the load line to the ground connection.

FIGS. 10-15 are schematic illustrations of wireless sensors according toembodiments described herein. Specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates awireless sensor 1010 including an antenna 1064 disposed within ajunction box 1020; FIG. 11 illustrates a wireless sensor 1110 includingan antenna 1164 disposed outside a junction box 1120; FIG. 12illustrates a wireless sensor 1210 including an energy harvester 1212 ina first configuration; FIG. 13 illustrates a wireless sensor 1310including an energy harvester 1312 in a second configuration; FIG. 14illustrates a wireless sensor 1410 including an energy harvester 1412 ina third configuration; and FIG. 15 illustrates a wireless sensor 1510including a power supply 1513 operatively coupled to a junction box1520. By way of example, a wireless sensor, for example, wirelesssensors 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1410, 1510 can include a light or outletswitch configured to sense and/or control whether an electrical switchcontrolling a light or outlet is opened or closed.

Referring to FIG. 10, wireless sensor 1010 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1020, and can include a processormodule 1016, a radio 1062, an antenna 1064, a button 1066, a currenttransformer 1072, a switch 1074 (as an example a relay or TRIAC), aDC/DC converter 1076, and a regulator 1078. Wireless sensor 1010 canoperate as a light switch. For example, when button 1066 is pressed,lights associated with wireless sensor 1010 would turn ON or OFF byconnecting or disconnecting the load to the AC mains 1022, 1024(preferably at 120-277 VAC, 50 or 60 Hz). Wireless sensor 1010 can beconfigured such that, when button 1066 is pressed on, an interrupt isgenerated within the processor 1016, which can bring wireless sensor1010 out of a sleep mode. The processor 1016 can toggle a state ofswitch 1074 to power or de-power a load (e.g. lights) coupled towireless sensor 1010. Processor 1016 can send, using radio 1062 andantenna 1064, a change of state of wireless sensor 1010, based on, forexample, a state of switch 1074, to, for example, a building automationsystem (BAS) via a wireless sensor system, for example, as describedabove. In some embodiments, processor 1016 can store the state of theswitch and go back to sleep. In such embodiments, processor 1016 cantransmit data packets associated with the state on a predeterminedschedule and/or at a predetermined interval. Current transformer 1072can measure an amount of current provided to the load and can send avalue if the current provided to the data processor 1016, such that thedata processor 1016 can define and send a data packet can to, forexample, the BAS, via a wireless sensor system. In some embodiments,antenna 1064 can use at least a portion of electrical enclosure 1020 aspart of the antenna 1064. In such embodiments, a radio frequency (RF)current can flow on the exterior of the electrical enclosure 1020 insupport of radiation of the wireless (RF) data signal.

In some embodiments, the BAS can monitor the energy usage of the load.In such embodiments, a building having many standard (e.g., not wirelesssensors) switches, outlets, and sensors, can be retrofitted withwireless sensors described herein to allow the BAS to wirelessly controlthe loads on all switches and outlets, in addition to local control by auser. In some embodiments, a BAS may have a schedule of when a room isoccupied and unoccupied and use that data to switch ON and OFF wirelesssensors within that room. In such embodiments, a user can be in a roomlabeled unoccupied, and can manually operate the switch to enable theload. In some embodiments, a wireless sensor can include a timer tomaintain an ON state a predetermined or programmable time such as onehour. In such embodiments, the wireless sensor can listen for data fromthe BAS as to whether the room is still labeled unoccupied based on theschedule. When the room is still labeled as unoccupied, the wire sensorcan electronically remove power from the load.

Referring to FIG. 11, wireless sensor 1110 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1120, and can include a processormodule 1116, a radio 1162, an antenna 1164, a button 1166, a currenttransformer 1172, a switch 1174, a DC/DC converter 1176, and a regulator1178. Electrical enclosure 1120 can include AC mains 1122, 1124.Wireless sensor 1110 can be similar to and include similar components aswireless sensor 1010. For example, wireless sensor can include aprocessor module 1116 similar to processor module 1016. Unlike wirelesssensor 1010 depicted in FIG. 10, antenna 1164 of wireless sensor 1110 isat least partially disposed outside of electrical enclosure 1120.

Referring to FIG. 12, wireless sensor 1210 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1220, and can include the energyharvester 1212, a processor module 1216, a radio 1262, an antenna 1264,a button (not shown in FIG. 12), a current transformer 1272, a switch1274, a DC/DC converter 1276, and a regulator 1278. Electrical enclosure1220 can include AC mains 1222, 1224. Wireless sensor 1210 can besimilar to and include similar components as wireless sensor 1010. Forexample, wireless sensor 1210 can include a processor module 1216similar to processor module 1016. Unlike wireless sensor 1010 depictedin FIG. 10, wireless sensor 1210 includes an energy harvester 1212,which can be similar to the energy harvesters described above.Specifically, when energy harvester 1212 is in the first configuration,for example, energy harvest 1212 can harvest energy from the currentflowing through wireless sensor 1210. Energy harvester 1212 cantransform a small portion of the current to a usable voltage. Thevoltage can be rectified to DC and can be used to recharge a battery oranother storage device such as a supercapacitor. As shown in FIG. 12,energy harvester 1212 can only harvest energy when the switch 1274 isclosed, connecting the line 1222 to the load 1224. In some embodiments,energy harvester 1212 can trickle a small current through a ground wire(not shown) which can enable the wireless sensor 1210 to harvest energyfrom the line 1222 when the load 1224 is disconnected by the switch1274. In such embodiments, the trickle current can be less than 6 mA,specifically, less than 3 mA.

Referring to FIG. 13, wireless sensor 1310 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1320, and can include the energyharvester 1312, a processor module 1316, a radio 1362, an antenna 1364,a button (not shown in FIG. 13), a current transformer 1372, a switch1374, a DC/DC converter 1376, and a regulator 1378. Electrical enclosure1320 can include AC mains 1322, 1324. Wireless sensor 1310 can besimilar to and include similar components as wireless sensor 1010. Forexample, wireless sensor 1310 can include a processor module 1316similar to processor module 1016. Unlike wireless sensor 1010 depictedin FIG. 10, wireless sensor 1310 includes an energy harvester 1312,which can be similar to the energy harvesters described above.Specifically, when energy harvester 1312 is in the second configuration,for example the energy harvester 1312 can be independent from the ACcircuit. More specifically, in some embodiments, energy harvester 1312can be a solar cell. In such embodiments, the solar cell can be designedto be exposed to the outside of wireless sensor 1310 through a faceplate. The face plate can be a standard design or may be custom andintegrated in the wireless sensor 1310.

Referring to FIG. 14, wireless sensor 1410 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1420, and can include the energyharvester 1412, a processor module 1416, a radio 1462, an antenna 1464,a button (not shown in FIG. 14), a current transformer 1472, a switch1474, a DC/DC converter 1476, and a regulator 1478. Electrical enclosure1420 can include AC mains 1422, 1424. Wireless sensor 1410 can besimilar to and include similar components as wireless sensor 1010. Forexample, wireless sensor can include a processor module 1416 similar toprocessor module 1016. Unlike wireless sensor 1010 depicted in FIG. 10,wireless sensor 1410 includes an energy harvester 1412, which can besimilar to the energy harvesters described above. Specifically, whenenergy harvester 1412 is in the third configuration, for example, energyharvester 1412 can be designed to provide power to wireless sensor 1410independent of a battery. In such embodiments, energy harvester 1412 andthe battery may be diode OR-ed. In some embodiments, when the source ofenergy used for harvesting is not present (i.e. no light) a battery canbe the primary source of energy to power the wireless sensor 1410. Insuch embodiments, as the source of energy used for harvesting increases,e.g., as the ambient light in a room increases, energy harvester 1412can augment the battery. In such embodiments, when the source of energyused for harvesting reached a large enough value, energy harvester 1412can be the primary source of energy to power wireless sensor 1410. Insome embodiments, all energy may be provided by energy harvester 1412and no energy may be provided to the battery to power the wirelesssensor 1410. In such embodiments, if energy harvester 1412 hassufficient energy, it can power wireless sensor 1410 and maintain thebattery energy. In some embodiments, energy harvester 1412 can charge asupercapacitor or rechargeable battery.

Referring to FIG. 15, wireless sensor 1510 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1520, and can include the powersupply 1513, a processor module 1516, a radio 1562, an antenna 1564, abutton (not shown in FIG. 15), a current transformer 1572, a switch1574, a DC/DC converter 1576, and a regulator 1578. Electrical enclosure1520 can include AC mains 1522, 1524 and neutral 1526. Wireless sensor1510 can be similar to and include similar components as wireless sensor1010. For example, wireless sensor can include a processor module 1516similar to processor module 1016. Unlike wireless sensor 1010 depictedin FIG. 10, wireless sensor 1510 includes a power supply 1513.Specifically, because electrical enclosure 1520 includes a neutral line1026, wireless sensor 1510 can receive power from, for example, buildingelectricity. Power supply 1513 can include an AC/DC converter.

As described herein, with reference to FIGS. 10-15, a wireless sensormay adjust or dim the electrical connection on the load wire via anymethod such as chopping the AC input from the line wire or by a 0-10Vsignal to an external dimming device (not shown).

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a portion of a wireless sensor 1610disposed within a electrical enclosure 1620. Specifically, wirelesssensor 1610 includes an antenna 1664, a faceplate 1668, a button 1666, abattery compartment door 1682 and a battery compartment door securingdevice 1684. As shown in FIG. 16, antenna 1664 can be disposed withinand/or adjacent to faceplate 1668. Battery compartment door 1682 canprovide access for installing and/or replacing a battery (not shown).Battery compartment door securing device 1684 secures batter compartmentdoor 1682 in a closed position and can include, for example, a screw orsnapping mechanism. In some embodiments, button 1666 may be implementedusing capacitive touch technology using one or more sensing locations.In some embodiments, button 1666 may give the ability to control theswitch and also dim the electrical connection between a line wire and aload wire.

As described herein, with reference to FIGS. 1-16, a wireless sensor canbe, at least partially disposed within an electrical enclosure,specifically a junction box, and one or more antennas can be disposedinternal, external, partially internal, or integral to the junction box.In some embodiments, a characteristic of the junction box can determinea positioning of an antenna. In some embodiments, the junction box caninclude metal or can include plastic. In some embodiments, a faceplateassociated with the junction box and/or wireless sensor can includeplastic and allow the antenna mounting within the junction box and RFenergy can exit the box through the plastic face plate when the junctionbox is metal. Alternatively, when the junction box is plastic, RF energycan exit through both the face plate and junction box. In someembodiments, the antenna can exit the junction box to maximizeperformance by minimizing the influence of the metal junction box. Insome embodiments, the antenna may be cabled to the junction box or maybe panel mounted on the side or top of the junction box, a stud, or awall.

In some embodiments, the antenna may use a junction box or metal of alight fixture as a ground plane or as part of the antenna's radiatingstructure. In some embodiments, the antenna can also be formed by usinga metal junction box and metal face plate and using a slot within theface plate. By way of example, a junction box can be metal. The metal ofthe junction box can prevent a standard antenna from working properlybecause the junction box can shield radiation and/or detune the antenna.Placing a metal cover over the junction box with a slot with the properdimensions can enable radiation from the junction box. Preferably, theslot runs along the long side of the junction box and is feed from atransmission line that has no physical connection to the slot or earthground of the junction box. Preferably, a dielectric, such as but notlimited to, FR4, is present between the slot antenna and thetransmission line to provide electrical isolation at the frequency ofthe AC line or from the DC voltage. The isolation allows the use of anon-isolated power supply to conform to UL requirements.

In some embodiments, the antenna may use a junction box or metal of alight fixture as a ground plane for the antenna without a physicalconnection of the RF ground of the radio to the earth ground of thejunction box. Isolation between the grounds is performed using adielectric. The RF signal establishes a virtual ground connection usingthe capacitance formed between the RF ground and earth ground throughthe dielectric. In some cases, the printed circuit board (PCB)containing the radio may be completely inside a junction box or under aballast cover effectively making the PCB shielded from the outsideworld. A wire antenna can be fed out through a small hole in the metalso it is substantially orthogonal to a plane of the metal. A virtualground can be established from the PCB ground plane to the metal of thejunction box or metal of the light fixture to excite RF current in thejunction box or metal of the light fixture to make the wire andnon-ground (isolated) metal of the junction box or metal of the lightfixture resonant as seen by the radio. The dielectric used is preferablythe ABS plastic of the enclosure combined with the adhesive (if used)such as double sided tape.

In some embodiments, an antenna can use metal of a junction box as partof the antenna to improve performance. In such embodiments, the antennacan use a plastic junction box cover. In such embodiments, the antennastructure includes a metal plane, orthogonal metal wings, and a pointfed plane. The point fed plane can be constructed on a dielectric suchas FR4 and can also have a superstrate that can cover the plane, and canbe made of a second dielectric, for example, plastic. In suchembodiments, the antenna is a hybrid between a patch antenna, aninverted-F antenna, and a dipole antenna. Additionally, the metal planeincludes orthogonal wings to ensure resonance in a multi-gang or plasticjunction box. In such an embodiment, the junction box acts as half of adipole antenna while the point fed plane acts as the other half. Themetal plane under the point fed plane can force the current associatedwith an RF wave to flow on the outside of the junction box to form adipole type antenna (the point fed plane can be the positive side of thedipole and the metal plane combined with the junction box metal andorthogonal wings can be the negative side of the dipole). In anotherexample, the junction box is a plastic junction box, and orthogonalwings allow the current associate with an RF wave to flow rearwards asis the case in a metal junction box. This can allow the resonance of theantenna to be maintained (return loss less then −7 dB). Said anotherway, the resonant frequency of an antenna occurs when the impedance ofthe antenna is the complex conjugate for the source or load impedance.In an example, an antenna can be designed to be 50 ohms to match the 50impedance of the connected radio transceiver. In such an example, returnloss can be a measure of how close to 50 ohms (or other impedance fornon-50 ohm systems) the antenna is. In the example, a return loss ofless than −10 dB can be a good match, e.g. the antenna is resonant atthat frequency or over that frequency range. Additionally, theorthogonal wings can allow the antenna to stay in resonance when mountedin a multi-gang metal junction box. In some embodiments, the metal planeand metal orthogonal wings can be formed from a single piece of bentmetal. The orthogonal wings can be spaced, for example, at least 1 mmfrom the junction box walls. In some embodiments, the antenna can beused as part of a button in a wireless sensor. In some embodiments, thepoint fed point can be used as part of the antenna and as a capacitivetouch button to eliminate the mechanical motion of the antenna.

FIGS. 17-22 depict illustrations of various views of an antenna of awireless sensor with and without an associated junction box.Specifically, FIG. 17 is an illustration of a front perspective view ofan antenna of a wireless sensor according to an embodiment; FIG. 18 isan illustration of a rear perspective view of the antenna shown in FIG.17; FIG. 19 is an illustration of a second rear perspective view of theantenna shown in FIG. 17; FIG. 20 is an illustration of a frontperspective view of the antenna shown in FIG. 17 at least partiallydisposed in a junction box according to an embodiment; FIG. 21 is anillustration of a rear perspective view of the antenna shown in FIG. 17at least partially disposed in a junction box according to anembodiment; and FIG. 22 is an illustration of a second rear perspectiveview of the antenna shown in FIG. 17 at least partially disposed in ajunction box according to an embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 17-22, anantenna 1764 includes a metal plane 1794, orthogonal wings 1792, and apoint fed plane 1796. Also as shown in FIGS. 20-22, antenna 1764 can beat least partially disposed in a junction box 1720.

A lighting control system can be used as part of a BAS for the control,configuration and analysis of lighting systems in spaces (e.g., openand/or enclosed rooms, areas, etc) in a building. In some embodiments,lighting control systems can be used when a person physically occupies aspace based on that person's interaction with the lighting controlsystem. In some embodiments, lighting control systems can be used when aperson does not physically occupy a space based on motion detected, ornot detected, in that space. In some embodiments, lighting controlsystems can be used based on a schedule and/or characteristics of anenvironment of a space. Lighting control systems can include wirelesscontrollers, lights, motion and other sensors, wireless switches, andgateways and other networking systems. Lighting control systems can beintegrated with the BAS via local and/or wide area networks and/or cloudbased networks.

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of a lighting control system(“system”) 2300. System 2300 includes wireless controllers 2310 mountedwithin or mounted to light fixtures 2320, a wireless switch 2330, motionsensors 2340, light sensor 2350, a gateway 2360, a proxy server (notshown), and a cloud server (not shown).

Wireless switch 2330 can be configured to control the state of, forexample, a light fixture such as one or both of light fixtures 2320. Insome instances, wireless switch 2330 can be a battery operated device.In such instances, a battery (not shown) of wireless switch 2330 can becoupled to an energy harvester as described herein. In some instances,wireless switch 2330 can be a transmit-only device. In other instances,wireless switch 2330 can be configured to receive information from otherdevices of system 2300. In instances where wireless switch 2330 isconfigured as a transmit-only switch, wireless switch 2330 can last 25years or more on a single pre-installed (e.g., soldered) battery. Insome instances, wireless switch 2330 can have no moving parts. Such alack of moving parts can increase the usable lifetime.

In some instances, wireless switch 2330 can use capacitive sensing toindicate interaction from a user. In such an instance, the user cantouch a zone on wireless switch 2330, the capacitance change can besensed by wireless switch 2330, and a command based on the zone that ispressed can be transmitted. As an example and with reference to FIG. 26,a wireless switch 2630 a may have four zones. The first zone (e.g.,“Zone 1” in FIG. 26A) shown at the top of wireless switch 2630 a can beused to indicate that the user wants the lights in a room to turn on.The zone below Zone 1 (e.g., “Zone 2” in FIG. 26A) can be used toindicate that the user wants the light level in the room to increase.The zone below Zone 2 (e.g., “Zone 3” in FIG. 26A) can be used toindicate that the user wants the light level in the room to decrease.The zone at the bottom (e.g., “Zone 4” in FIG. 26A) can be used toindicate that the user want the lights in a room to turn off. In anotherexample, Zones 1-4 can be used to set the room or area to a userdefinable scene. Preferably, the wireless switch 2330 does not storedata about the scene setting. Preferably, the scene data is stored inthe one or more wireless controllers 2310 in the room that areassociated to the wireless switch 2330. The wireless switch preferablysends a command for the wireless controllers 2310 to change settings tothe values saved in the memory of the wireless controllers 2310 based onthe capacitive button pressed. As an example, button 1 may send command1 telling the lights, or other connected device(s), to go to the scenevalues stored in memory on the wireless controller 2310 for scene 1.Preferably, the wireless controllers 2310 are transmit only devices tomaintain an extremely long battery life. In some instances, thecapacitive sensing is duty cycled. Such a duty cycle can save power andcontribute to enabling a 25 year lifetime of the battery. As an example,the zones can be sensed once every quarter of a second or every eighthof a second. When a user is detected, wireless switch 2330 cantransition from a first mode of detecting a user (User detection mode)to a second mode with faster sampling of the zones to ensure quickresponse to the user's commands (Run mode) or to implement a digitalfilter or digital calculation (signal processing) to analyze thedetection. A microcontroller preferably takes several samples of thedetection to avoid false triggers caused by noise sources such as ACwiring in close proximity. False detections may be ignored and thewireless switch 2330 may not transmit a packet due to the falsedetection. Zones 1-4 can be configured to each set a different scenewithin a room. As an example, Zone 1 can be configured to set wirelesscontrollers 2310 to a 40% dim level. In such an example, the Zone 1command can be sent from wireless switch 2330 to wireless controllers2310 directly or through repeaters (not shown). In such an example,gateway 2360 can program wireless controllers 2310 with the desiredstate for each Zone command.

Wireless switch 2330 can be configured to turn the lights ON and OFF andalso to dim the lights. In some embodiments, wireless switch 2330 caninclude a slider. By way of example, and with reference to FIG. 26B, awireless switch 2630 can include a two element capacitive touch(sensing) slider 2632 (see FIG. 26B). Slider 2632 can allow the user totouch the top part of the switch to turn the lights ON. Slider 2632 canallow the user to touch the bottom part of the switch to turn the lightsOFF. In between the ON and OFF zones, the user can slide their finger toadjust the dim level of the lights. In some instances, the user need notphysically touch wireless switch 2630. In such instances, the capacitivesensing can be sensitive such that the user's finger can be sensedwithin several millimeters of the sensing surface of wireless switch2632.

As discussed above, wireless switch 2330 can be a transmit-only deviceconfigured to transmit commands on two or more sequential channels usinga single radio. As an example, wireless switch 2330 can transmit on afirst channel (e.g., “Channel A”) followed by second channel (e.g.,“Channel B”). Wireless switch 2330 can be mounted to a wall, can be amobile device (movable about a room), or can be mounted in a cradle thatis secured to the wall with fasteners, such as a screws, such thatwireless switch 2330 can be removed from the cradle. Wireless switch2330 can be associated with a unique serial number that is assigned atthe time of manufacture and that is included as data within every packettransmitted.

Wireless switch 2330 is preferably constructed using two or more printedcircuit board (PCB) in a stacked configuration. The PCBs are preferablyparallel planes and are preferably connected using one or more PCB toPCB board level connector. Preferably, the top PCB contains thecapacitive touch pads for sensing a change in capacitance caused by thepresence of a person's finger. The traces for the capacitive pads to thecapacitive touch module, which may be integrated into themicrocontroller, may run from the top PCB to the bottom PCB through theone or more board level connector. The top PCB containing the cap touchbuttons is preferably mounted in a manner to provide contact with anouter plastic wall of a housing. Preferably, the mounting securelypushes the PCB against the outer plastic wall without a significant airgap. Preferably, the two or more PCBs are each two or more layers.

The wireless switch 2330 includes an antenna for communication. Theantenna is preferably constructed on the capacitive touch PCB which ismounted in contact with an outer plastic wall of the housing. Theantenna preferably in routed next to or within the capacitive touchbuttons. In some embodiments, the antenna is designed to capacitivelyexcite the capacitive touch buttons thereby making the capacitive touchbuttons part of the antenna. Using the buttons as part of the antennaallows the buttons and antenna to share the same space on the PCB. Theantenna frequency is set high enough not to interfere with thecapacitive touch operation. Additionally, the feedpoint for the antennasmay use one or more of the connections on the board level connector.Preferably, the antenna is a DC short to enhance the performance of thecapacitive touch buttons. As an example, the antenna may be a planarinverted-F antenna (PIFA) type antenna. One or more connections to thePIFA on a first PCB may be connected to the ground on a second PCBthrough the board level connector. One or more connections to the PIFAmay be connected to the radio's output signal through the board levelconnections. Preferably, the board level connector connection spacing isdesigned to have a specific characteristic impedance to aid in antennamatching. The antenna may include a passive resonating element as partof the antenna on the second PCB to increase the bandwidth of theantenna. The passive resonating element preferably has no physicalconnection to the radio signal and is only connected to the ground onthe second PCB.

Wireless switch 2330 may be used to control the operation of otherdevices other than lights, such as motors and other devices. The levelsbetween ON and OFF may be used to change a parameter of the device suchas the speed, volume, flow, or other measurable quantity.

Wireless controller 2310 can be configured to control one or morelighting fixtures 2320 and communicate with the BAS. In some instances,wireless controller 2310 can be an AC or DC line powered device.Wireless controller 2310 can be configured, during normal operation, toreceive data from wireless switch 2330, gateway 2360, motion sensors2340, and/or light sensors 235Q and control the status of light fixture2320. Wireless controller 2310 can turn lights within light fixture 2320ON or OFF or dim a light level. By way of example, and with reference toFIG. 24, light fixture 2320 can include multiple bulbs 2324 controlledby a ballast 2322 and wireless controller 2310 can interface withballast 2322. In such an instance, wireless controller 2310 can includea mechanism for making or breaking the AC or DC line power to ballast2322. In such instances, mechanism can be a latching relay to limit theamount of power used by wireless controller 2310; alternatively, themechanism can be a non-latching relay or other solid-state relay orswitch.

In some instances, wireless controller 2310 can be queried from gateway2360 to join a BAS network. Wireless controller 2310 can be enrolledinto the BAS network when the user scans or manually enters a bar codeof wireless controller 2310 into a webpage associated with gateway 2360or the cloud server(s). Wireless controller 2310 can then transmit togateway 2360 the unique identification number of gateway 2360, which canbe included with packets transmitted from wireless controller 2310.Additionally, wireless controller 2310 can receive association data fromgateway 2360. In such an instance, the association data can indicate towireless controller 2310 which system devices (e.g., switches, sensors,etc.) will be providing data to wireless controller 2310. As an example,gateway 2360 can indicate to wireless controller 2310 to receive signalsfrom one or more wireless switches 2330. Once this association is storedin wireless controller 2310's non-volatile memory, wireless controller2310 can directly receive data or commands from the one or more wirelessswitches 2330 and act upon the data or commands received. In someinstances, wireless controller 2310 can receive commands from gateway2360. Gateway 2360 can set the frequency channel of wireless controller2310. As an example, wireless controller 2310 can be set to Channel A toreceive data from sensors 2340 or switches 2330 on Channel A (firstsequential transmission from sensors 2340 or switches 2330) or wirelesscontroller 2310 can be set to Channel B to receive data from sensors2340 or switches 2330 on Channel B (second sequential transmission fromsensors 2340 or switches 2330).

In some instances, wireless controller 2310 can be enabled as a repeaterto repeat packets from other devices (e.g., wireless switches, sensors,other wireless controllers, etc.). In such instances, wirelesscontroller 2310 can track the packets received to ensure the same packetis not transmitted more than once. In such instances, wirelesscontroller 2310 can also add the gateway unique identification number tothe packet to indicate to other repeating wireless controllers (notshown) that the packet has already been repeated and also that thepacket is only repeated by wireless controllers associated with thegateway whose unique identification number is contained in the packet.In some instances, diagnostic data can be added to the packet to monitorthe health of the network including hop count, received signal strength,packet counter, etc. In certain instances, wireless controller 2310 willonly repeat packets of devices stored in memory and are associated towireless controller 2310. In some instances, for example, when wirelesscontroller 2310 is configured in a non-repeater mode of operation,wireless controller 2310 can ignore any packets except those fromassociated devices stored in memory (e.g., wireless switches, sensors,etc.) and gateway 2360. The channel for repeater mode can be set by thegateway (Channel A or Channel B), which can allow the network to havetwo redundant overlapping networks. As an example, the user can instructgateway 2360 to enable one wireless controller 2310 in a room to be onrepeater Channel A and another wireless controller 2310 in a room to beon repeater Channel B. In some instances, a repeater can sequentiallytransmit on all channels.

In some instances, wireless controller 2310 can default to ON after apower outage to ensure that light is restored until the user viawireless switch 2330 or gateway 2360 change the status of wirelesscontroller 2310 (e.g., ON, OFF, or dim). Wireless controller 2310 may bemounted within or on a light fixture 2320 or light fixture assembly. Inmany instances, light fixture 2320 can be constructed of metal, whichcan pose a challenge for the RF communications. In such instances, theantennas described above in FIGS. 17-22 can be used to overcome thesechallenges. As an example, light fixture 2320 can be a 2 foot by 2 footdrop ceiling light fixture, wireless controller 2310 can use a wireantenna (not shown). A printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) cancontain a ground plane for the antenna. Wireless controller 2310 can bemounted using an adhesive tape (not shown). The antenna is designed toprotrude through a hole in the top of the light fixture 2320 and intothe space above the drop ceiling. The antenna can be orthogonal to thetop of the light fixture. The top of the light fixture can act as aground plane for the antenna. The PCB ground plane and light fixturemetal can capacitively couple to form a virtual ground for the antenna.

In some instances, wireless controller 2310 can include connectors forquick connection and disconnection from the mains (AC or DC) (e.g., themains discussed above with reference to FIGS. 10-15) without the need toswitch off the connection to the fixture at the breaker panel.Additionally, the connectors can allow for additional wires to allowdaisy chaining of the AC or DC mains or control signals such as dimmingsignals to the next wireless controller. Each wireless controller 2310can be associated with a unique serial number that can be assigned attime of manufacture that is included as data within every packettransmitted.

Wireless controller 2310 can perform dimming using a 0-10V signal.Wireless controller 2310 can, for example, source a 0-10V signal(output) or receive a 0-10V signal (input) using the same circuitry.This can be achieved by using a driver output that can source or sinkcurrent to hold the output at the proper voltage level.

Motion sensor 2340 can be configured to sense the motion of an occupantof a space. In some instances, motion sensor 2340 can be a batteryoperated device. In such instances, a battery (not shown) of motionsensor 2350 can be coupled to an energy harvester as described herein.In some instances, motion sensor 2340 can be a transmit-only device. Inother instances, motion sensor 2340 can be configured to receiveinformation from other devices of system 2300. In instances where motionsensor 2340 is configured as a transmit-only device, a battery (notshown) of motion sensor 2340 can last 25 years or more. In someinstances, motion sensor 2340 can have no moving parts. In suchinstances, the lack of moving part can increase the usable lifetime ofthe motion sensor 2340. In some instances, motion sensor 2340 can usepassive infrared to indicate the presence of an individual with thesensing area. In some instances, motion sensor 2340 can sample motion ata nearly continuous rate. In such instances, motion sensor 2340 canbalance sensing time with energy usage (battery life). Motion sensor2340 can be configured to provide continuous sensing while stillachieving 25 years or more of operation from a single pre-installed(e.g., soldered) battery. In some instances, a 25 year battery life isachieved without energy harvesting. When motion is detected, motionsensor 2340 triggers an output signal and resets to enable sensingagain. During the reset process, motion sensor 2340 may be unable tosense motion. The reset process, however, can only take about one secondand because motion has just been sensed, one second of non-sensing timecan be a non-factor.

In some instances, motion sensor 2340 can be configured to transmit apacket when motion is detected. In such an instance, motion sensor 2340can continue to sense motion but, in some instances, does not transmitanother packet for a pre-determined or programmable time period such asfive minutes. In such an instance, motion sensor 2340 effectivelycontinuously monitors motion during five minute windows (or any othersuitable window of time) and can send a packet indicating if motionoccurred during the five minute period. In some instances, motion sensor2340 can send data to the gateway and/or the wireless controller 2310.Control based on or in response to the packet can be performed bygateway 2360 and/or wireless controller 2310. In some instances, motionsensor 2340 can be used to sense occupancy or vacancy of a room or area.Motion sensor 2340 may be ceiling, wall, or hallway mounted.

In some instances, motion sensor 2340 can be a transmit-only device thatcan transmit data on two sequential channels using a single radio. As anexample, motion sensor 2340 can transmit on Channel A followed byChannel B. Each motion sensor 2340 can have a unique serial number thatis assigned at time of manufacture that is included as data within everypacket transmitted.

Light sensor 2350 can be configured to sense a level of ambient light ina space and can be configured to transmit such information for controland/or configuration of light fixtures 2320. In some instances, lightsensor 2350 can be a battery operated device. In some instances, lightsensor 2350 can be configured, during normal operation, to be atransmit-only device. In other instances, light sensor 2350 can beconfigured to receive information from system 2300. In instances wherelight sensor 2350 is configured as a transmit-only device, a battery(not shown) of light sensor 2350 can last 25 years or more. In someinstances, light sensor 2350 can have no moving parts. In suchinstances, the lack of moving part can increase the usable lifetime ofthe light sensor 2350. In some instances, light sensor 2350 can includea lens, IR and UV filters, and a photodiode configured to measure thelux level striking the surface on which light sensor 2350 is mounted. Alight sensing element (not shown) within light sensor 2350 can bedesigned to closely match a light frequency (spectral) response of thehuman eye. The light sensor may also include a mounting device to holdone or more of the photodiode, filters, and lens. The mounting devicemay also be designed to block substantially all the light other than thelight entering through the lens. This eliminates error caused by lightthat may enter the light sensor enclosure other than through the lens.Preferably the lens, filters, and photodiode have a cosine square lighttransfer response to mimic the human eye.

In some instances, light sensor 2350 can be configured to sample thelight level (e.g. lux level) and send an RF packet at a predetermined orprogrammable time, such as, for example, once per minute or on acondition of light level change of a percentage of the previous reading.In some instances, light sensor 2350 can send data to gateway 2360 orwireless controllers 2310. In such instances, this data can be used toadjust the light level in a room to drive the light level to a desiredlevel. In some instances, a range of light levels can be provided, forexample, user-defined, including a maximum acceptable light level(maximum set point/lux level) and a minimum acceptable light level(minimum set point/lux level). The system can modify the dim level ofwireless controllers 2310 associated with light sensor 2350 to drive thelight level to in between the minimum and maximum set points. As anexample, the minimum lux level for a room can be set to 300 lux and themaximum lux level can be set to 400 lux. If light sensor 2350 reports togateway 2360 that the current lux level in a room is 350 lux, gateway2360 can make no change to the dim level of the wireless controllerswithin the room. If, however, light sensor 2350 reports that the luxlevel is 250 lux, gateway 2360 can instruct one or more or all ofwireless controllers 2310 within the room to increase the dim level by acertain percentage (e.g. 10%). In some instances, when a subsequentreading from the light sensor 2350 is received, gateway 2360 cancontinue to turn up the dim setting until light sensor 2350 sends areading between 300 and 400 lux. The same process can occur if the luxlevel is above 400 lux except gateway 2360 can instruct one or more orall of wireless controllers 2310 to decrease the dim level by a certainpercentage (e.g. 10%) until the lux level is between the user-definedset points of 300 and 400 lux.

In some instances, light sensor 2350 can be a transmit-only device thatcan transmit data on two sequential channels using a single radio. As anexample, light sensor 2350 can transmit on Channel A followed by ChannelB. Each light sensor 2350 can have a unique serial number that isassigned at time of manufacture that is included as data within everypacket transmitted.

Gateway 2360 can be configured to connect wireless switch 2330, lightsensor 2350, motion sensor 2340, wireless controllers 2310 andassociated light fixtures 2320 with a BAS network. Gateway 2360 can besimilar to the network gateway devices described herein, for example,network gateway device 140. In some instances, gateway 2360 can collectdata from all devices on gateway 2360's network. A user can enrolldevices to the network associated with gateway 2360 using a webpageserved from gateway 2360 to a user's computer over the LAN (not shown).In this manner, the webpage can allow the user to enroll devices byscanning the bar codes of the unique identification numbers of thedevices using a bar code scanner (not shown). The user can also setcharacteristics of the device (e.g. wireless switches, wireless sensors,wireless controllers, etc.) using the webpage. The user can also use thewebpage to associate one device to another. All of this data can bestored in non-volatile memory in gateway 2360 to ensure retention duringa power outage and to reduce system latency to and from the cloudserver. In some instances, associations can tell devices how to interactwith one another. As an example, wireless controllers 2310 areassociated with wireless switch 2330. In such an example, wirelesscontrollers 2310 receive and process packets from wireless switch 2330to control the ON, OFF, or dim state. This data can also be relayed togateway 2360 to ensure proper system control and to double check thatwireless controllers received and acted upon the command.

In some instances, gateway 2360 can group devices by room or area. As anexample, referring to FIG. 23, all devices (e.g., wireless controllers2310, wireless switch 2330, motion sensor 2340, light sensor 2350, etc.)have been added to the room. In this example, wireless controllers 2310would be associated to wireless switch 2330, and motion sensors 2340 andlight sensor 2350 would be associated to the room.

In some instances, motion sensors are used to reset the room timeout.The room timeout timer can indicate when to switch from an occupiedstate to an unoccupied state. The room timeout timer can be userconfigurable and can be, for example, thirty minutes. The room timeouttimer can be timed by gateway 2360 in an individual room and can be usedby gateway 2360 to make decisions on how to control the room devices(e.g. wireless controllers 2310). Data that indicates motion, sent frommotion sensors 2340, can reset the room timer of the room shown in FIG.23. In some instances, each room or area has a dedicated room timer andtimeout condition. In some instances, either motion sensor 2340 cansense motion and clear the room timer. In some instances, once the roomtimer reaches the room timeout condition, such as 30 minutes, gateway2360 can issue to wireless controllers 2310 a command associated withthat room to switch to the desired state of wireless controller 2310. Insuch instance, the command to wireless controllers 2310 can occursequentially to each wireless controller 2310 or as a single commandsimultaneously to all wireless controllers 2310. In such instances,typically the desired state is OFF; in some instances, however, certainlighting, such as security lighting or emergency lighting can have adesired state of ON or dimmed to a settable level such as 50%. In someinstances, light sensor 2350 can continuously monitor the light level inthe room and send data to gateway 2360. Gateway 2360 can wirelessly sendcommands to wireless controllers 2310 based on the sensor data (frommotion sensors 2340 and light sensor 2350). In some instances, motionsensors 2340 and/or light sensor 2350 can communicate directly withwireless controllers 2310 if found to be advantageous, and associationscan be stored for motion sensors 2340 and/or light sensors 2350 inwireless controllers 2310.

In some instances, gateway 2360 can set device data such as but notlimited to, sensing thresholds, timeouts, dim levels, etc. This data isused by gateway 2360 to perform or ensure system control.

In some instances, gateway 2360 can maintain a schedule for each room orfor whether the room should be occupied or unoccupied. The schedule canhave, for example, a resolution of 15 minutes. In some instances, theschedule can be pushed to gateway 2560 from the cloud server and can beset by the user. In some examples, behavior under an occupied state maynot match behavior in an unoccupied state. As an example, during anoccupied state, lights may not go off due to a timeout condition butrather may just dim. Whereas, in an unoccupied state, the lights mayshut off. At least a portion (24 hours as an example) of schedule can bestored on gateway 2360 to overcome network outages.

In some instances, gateway 2360 also includes an interface to the BAS toreceive and provide control and monitoring information. In someinstances, gateway 2360 can poll each wireless controller 2310 after apredefined time period to ensure that each wireless controller 2310 isin the proper state. In such instances, gateway 2310 can transmit apacket to correct any error found. As an example, gateway 2360 can pollone of 100 wireless controllers per second to check their state.Therefore, each wireless controller 2310 is polled every 100 seconds. Insome instances, gateway 2360 can include two antennas and two radiossimultaneously operating on different channels (Channel A and Channel B)to provide spatial and frequency diversity. In some instances, gateway2360 can have a secure login and password for access from the user'scomputer or from the proxy or cloud server. In some instances, gateway2360 can have the ability to perform a firmware upgrade when prompted bythe cloud server and upon reception of a file containing the updatedfirmware. In some instances, gateway 2360 can backup its memory to thecloud server in case the gateway becomes inoperable. This can allow theuser to restore the memory to a new gateway without the need to setupthe system 2300 again.

As described above, a gateway can be a control point for a lightingcontrol system and can be the central device for the configuration andmonitoring of the system. The gateway can be a central point of controlfor other devices within the system. In some instances, however, thedevices within the system can also function autonomously without thepresence of the gateway. In such instances, in the event of a partialbuilding power failure or interference where the gateway cannotcommunicate with the devices that it is configured to control, thedevices can continue to function using default instructions andsettings.

As described above, a gateway can be configured to control the initialconfiguration for devices (wireless controllers and associated lightingfixtures, motion sensors, lighting sensors, etc.). In such instances,the initial configuration can be accomplished by, for example, anEthernet interface and a website that the user can load from the gatewayto add or remove components or devices to or from the network.Additionally, devices in the system can be associated with a gateway viathe cloud server. In some instances, the gateway can perform as aminimal control unit for all other lighting system hardware componentsor devices. In some instances, no scheduling is stored in gateway. Insome instances, enabling or disabling of devices within the system canbe done in a fixed manner via the gateway's web page interface or JSONREST interface to provide the mechanisms by which a given schedule orpolicy could be enacted. In some instances, the gateway is configured topush data to a proxy server, local server, and/or a cloud server asdescribed herein. In some instances, the gateway can store informationin memory about the associated devices (wireless controllers/repeaters,switches, sensors). In some instances, the gateway can upgradesoftware/firmware when prompted by a server. In such instances, agateway can be configured to configure and control of new types ofdevices. In some instances, the gateway can use a network time protocol(NTP) client to poll an NTP server for the current time. In someinstances, timestamps upon the gateway can be recorded as seconds asspecified in the IEEE Std 1003.1-1988

As shown in FIG. 25, a proxy server 2380 can be configured to aggregatedata from multiple gateways 2360 a-2360 n on the wired network. The datafrom multiple gateways 2360 a-2360 n can then exit the firewall througha single point to minimize the security risk caused by the opening inthe firewall as can be seen in FIG. 25. Additionally, proxy server 2380can add additional security features to the system such as Clientsecurity socket layer (SSL) for added security. It should be noted thatproxy server 2380 can be a physical unit, a software package, and/or avirtual machine running on an existing server.

A cloud server can be configured to aggregate data from multiplegateways and from multiple sites and from multiple users. In someinstances, the cloud server can perform the same functions as a gatewaybut can also manage a complete site containing multiple gateways. Thecloud server can also store, track, and analyze data. As an example, thecloud server can track energy usage of the lighting control system atthe building, room/area, or wireless controller level. The user canenter the AC or DC voltage, typical current draw of the ballast, and thepower factor. The cloud server could calculate the energy usage usingthis data and the ON time of the wireless controllers.

Devices described herein, for example, wireless switches, wirelesssensors, etc., can each have a permanent bar code label and a removableadhesive bar code label. The removable bar code label can be removedduring installation and adhered to a sheet that contains the deviceswith a room or area. These bar codes can be later scanned into a gatewayat lighting control system setup. This can allow the gateway to knowwhich devices should be added to the network and which device it shouldignore (devices not scanned at setup).

In some instances, when multiple sensors are present in a room, the datafrom the sensors may be OR'ed, AND'ed, averaged, added, subtracted,integrated, or any other math operation to produce the desired result.

In some instances, multiple wireless switches can be associated with oneor more wireless controllers to allow a room or area to have multipleswitches for control. In such an instance, control can be based on themost recent switch press or by the switch with the highest prioritywithin a timeout period. In some instances, a master switch that cancontrol multiple rooms or areas and override any lower level switchescontained within the rooms or areas.

Devices described herein can each have a unique serial number. Theserial number can contain a portion that can be used to identify thetype of device. As an example, the serial number may be a 32 bit numberwhere the first 8 bits identify the type of device and the remaining 24bits are a unique number.

In some instances, a lighting control system can employ encryption toensure the system is secure. As added security the system can employ apacket counter and a data whitening algorithm. The packet counter canallow a gateway to ensure packets are not repeated by an attacker. Thepacket counter can also be used as a simple timestamp from thetransmitting device or to determine if a packet from that device wasmissed or lost. This data can be used to request a retransmission, whenapplicable. The data whitening algorithm is used primarily to give RFfrequency spectral spreading to comply with FCC regulations.

In some instances, a lighting control system can include additionaldevices such as but not limited to a wired switch, a wireless outlet, acontrollable vent with electronically controlled louvers, HVAC sensors(temp, humidity, CO2, differential pressure, contact closure, externaltemperature, pulse counters, etc.), voice-activated lighting controls,audio sensing occupancy or vacancy sensors.

In some instances, a gateway can include an additional radio to supportthe addition of other devices using a different protocol such as Zigbeeor WiFi. In some instances, a gateway can include digital or analoginputs and/or outputs for connection to other systems to obtain otherdata for control. An example includes a connection to a security systemto change the lighting settings based on a change in security status.

In some instances, a wireless controller can include a circuit tomonitor current and power factor of the load to enable the wirelesscontroller to report energy usage to the gateway and cloud server.Monitoring current can also be used to determine a malfunction in theload device such as a blown bulb or blown ballast.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart depicting a method 2700 of operating a lightingcontrol system as described herein. Method 2700 includes a gatewayassociated with a space performing a periodic check, e.g., determiningthat whether or not a state change signal has been received during thetime-out period for the space, at 2702, 2704. If the timeout period haspassed without receiving a state change signal, method 2700 includesdetermining whether a motion sensor in present in the space, at 2706. Ifa motion sensor is present, method 2700 includes the gateway revertingany wireless controller to their desired state, at 2708. If no motionsensor is present, method 2700 includes the gateway determining whetherthe space is scheduled to be occupied, at 2710. If the space is notscheduled to be occupied, method 2700 includes the gateway reverting anywireless controller to their desired state, at 2708. If the room isscheduled to be occupied, method 2700 includes determining whether alight sensor is present, at 2712. If a light sensor is not present,method 2700 includes the gateway not initiating any change, at 2708. Ifa light sensor is present, method 2700 includes reverting any wirelesscontroller to light sensor control, at 2714. Returning to 2704, if thetimeout period has not passed, the gateway does not initiate any change,at 2716. While not shown in FIG. 7, after each of end points 2708, 2714and 2716, method 2700 can return to 2702, performing a periodic check.

The lighting control systems described herein can be associated withdifferent use cases. Specifically, the lighting control system can beassociated with scenarios where a person interacts with the systemphysically (e.g., a switch) and/or via a device included in the system(e.g., motion sensor).

In scenarios where a person physically interacts with a switch, theswitch allows the user to override the policy of the system. In theabsence of a physical interaction by the user via switches or sensors,the system should behave autonomously according to a set policy.

In a first physical interaction scenario a user can desire more light.In this scenario, a setting can be in effect in which a light's offpowered state or dimming level is too low for a user's need. The usercan provide touch input to the switch based on their desired lightinglevel. In this scenario if the room in which the switch is pressed isset to occupied, then a room timeout can cause the wireless controllersto revert to day light harvesting, if a sensor exists. In this scenarioif the room in which the switch is pressed is set to unoccupied, then aroom timeout can cause the wireless controllers to revert to the defaultstate of off as per the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating andAir Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards.

In a second physical interaction scenario a user can desire less light.In this scenario a room can have a schedule in effect that sets thedefaults of a room wireless controller's state. A user can prefer tohave a darker room for a presentation. In this scenario, the user canprovide touch input to the switch based on their desired lighting level.In this scenario if the room in which the switch is pressed is set tooccupied, then a room timeout can cause the connectors to revert to daylight harvesting, if a sensor is located in that room. In this scenarioif the room in which the switch is pressed is set to unoccupied, then aroom timeout can cause the connectors to revert to the default state ofoff as per the ASHRAE standards.

In a third physical interaction scenario, switches can be disabled viadeletion of its wireless controller associations. In such a scenario, auser's physical interaction with a switch can override the system.Similarly, if a switch times out, the user can also override the switch.

In a fourth physical interaction scenario, a gateway can loseconnectivity. In such a scenario the switches can act as the singularpoint of control of the system. The wireless controllers within a roomshould act autonomously as a single unit and remain in the state thatthey were in prior to loss of connectivity. Because the building policycan be controlled via broadcasts from the gateway, all building policiesthat are in effect on the gateway will not be available for access byother devices upon failures and switch state will be persistent untilconnectivity is restored within the system.

In a first motion sensor scenario, no motion is detected. In such ascenario, in the event that a building vacancy sensor detects that aroom is vacant (no motion within a timeout period), all wirelesscontrollers within the room will revert to their default state. In amotion second sensor scenario, motion is detected. In such a scenario,in the event of motion being detected the room will reset the timeouttimer.

In a light sensor scenario, a light sensor is placed in a room so thatit can detect a room lux level. In such a scenario, given a configurablelux set point of the sensor, the system can dim or brighten the wirelesscontrollers associated with a sensor. In such a scenario, the switchesassociated with the wireless controllers can override the default statethat is set for daylight harvesting. In such a light sensor scenario,the lux point or brightness of the room as measured by the light sensorscan be controlled via the gateway. This system can be designed toprovide a reasonable value of light and adaptation to changing lightconditions as determined by testing. Continuing with this scenario,hysteresis levels are given for a wireless controller-to-light-sensorassociation. These levels can provide a range of lux in which thewireless controllers associated with a light sensor may not attempt toadjust their percent diming.

As described herein a gateway can be connected to a lighting controlsystem. By way of example, a technician can connect an Ethernet cableinto the gateway. The Ethernet connection can be able to functionwithout a need for cross over cables. A technician can then enablecommunication to the gateway by setting a static internet protocol (IP)address on the technician's computer. Continuing with this example, atechnician can then navigate to a Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure(HTTPS) server on the gateway at the gateway's default IP and can beprompted for a default username and password. After entering a defaultusername and password, the technician can be required to enter in ausername and password before proceeding. If no username or password isprovided, the gateway will not be configurable or usable. In such anexample, this can be a security mechanism.

As described herein, network settings of a lighting control system canbe configured. For example a technician can change the default IPaddress and LAN settings (domain name server (DNS), IP Gateway, subnetmask) to match the desired network settings. A technician can enter inthe gateway information to an associated cloud or proxy server. If thegateway is set to push updates to a cloud server, an associated usernameand password for the cloud server can be entered into the gateway eitherby the installer or a cloud server/proxy. A technician can install thegateway into the permanent location as a LAN fixture. A technician canlog into a cloud server or proxy and confirm that the gateway has beenrecognized/perform additional configuration upon that server.

As described herein, a resource provides access to a representation ofgateway configuration or current state via HTTP requests and responses.The gateway can be designed to be polled for data using HTTP requests toURLs representing resources and to return responses to those requests.Additionally, because state changes to different resource parameters canbe missed between subsequent polls to the representational statetransfer (REST) interface, an additional interface can be provided thatcan allow for pushing of state changes to an external server. Unlesspopulated or configured by a user or an external server via the RESTinterface, the gateway will return empty array responses for allresources except the gateway and schedule.

While various embodiments, instances and implementations describedherein describe a particular number of wireless switches, wirelesscontrollers, wireless sensors, wireless repeaters, and/or networkgateway devices, etc., wireless sensor systems and lighting controlsystems described herein can include any number of such devices, forexample, to provide redundancy. By way of example, a multi-storybuilding can include a network gateway device on a top floor and on abottom floor, and each wireless sensor can include at least one path,via wireless repeaters to the network gateway device on the top floorand/or on the bottom floor.

In any of the embodiments, the device may use an F-like antenna. Theantenna is preferably constructed on a PCB. The PCB may have two or morelayers. Preferably, a ground plane is formed on a bottom layer while thecomponents and antenna are formed on a top layer. The antenna in someembodiments may have at least one conductor that is constructed as anarch. Preferably, the shorting pin of the antenna and the feed point ofthe antenna intersection on the arch and at a non-orthogonal angle. Theantenna may also contain multiple parallel segments at the end of thearch. The parallel segments are electrically connected at alternatingends to form a meander section. The antenna preferably has no groundplane directly underneath substantially all of the antenna. The antennashorting pin preferably is orthogonal to the end of the ground plane fora portion of its length and is curved for a portion of its length andwithout an abrupt angle like 90 degrees.

If found to be advantageous, the transmitted data packets may include:Hop count, RSSI, Last repeater ID, or other data for monitoring thehealth of the wireless network.

In any of the embodiments, the device may include a bi-stable display orother indicator to allow the user to see the status of function of adevice, As an example, the motion sensor may include an LED thatilluminates when motion is sensed. As another example, the light sensormay include a bi-stable segmented display to display the current readingof the lux level on the sensor along with the transmission of that datato the gateway.

While various embodiments, instances and implementations of theinvention are described herein, it should be understood that they havebeen presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Where methodsdescribed herein indicate certain events occurring in certain order, theordering of certain events may be modified. Additionally, certain of theevents may be performed concurrently in a parallel process whenpossible, as well as performed sequentially as described above.

In some embodiments, instances and implementations, the devices caninclude or relate to a computer storage product with a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium (also can be referred to as a non-transitoryprocessor-readable medium) having instructions or computer code thereonfor performing various computer-implemented operations. Thecomputer-readable medium (or processor-readable medium) isnon-transitory in the sense that it does not include transitorypropagating signals per se (e.g., a propagating electromagnetic wavecarrying information on a transmission medium such as space or a cable).The media and computer code (also can be referred to as code) may bethose designed and constructed for the specific purpose or purposes.Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are notlimited to: magnetic storage media such as hard disks, floppy disks, andmagnetic tape; optical storage media such as Compact Disc/Digital VideoDiscs (CD/DVDs), Compact Disc-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs), andholographic devices; magneto-optical storage media such as opticaldisks; carrier wave signal processing modules; and hardware devices thatare specially configured to store and execute program code, such asApplication-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable LogicDevices (PLDs), Read-Only Memory (ROM) and Random-Access Memory (RAM)devices.

Examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, micro-code ormicro-instructions, machine instructions, such as produced by acompiler, code used to produce a web service, and files containinghigher-level instructions that are executed by a computer using aninterpreter. For example, embodiments may be implemented using Java,C++, or other programming languages (e.g., object-oriented programminglanguages) and development tools. Additional examples of computer codeinclude, but are not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, andcompressed code.

Although various embodiments, instances and implementations aredescribed herein as having particular features and/or combinations ofcomponents, other embodiments are possible having a combination of anyfeatures and/or components from any of the embodiments whereappropriate.

We claim:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving a signal indicating that atimeout timer associated with a space has crossed a threshold timeduration; determining if a motion sensor is disposed within the space;if the motion sensor is determined to be disposed within the space,sending a signal to a wireless controller operatively coupled to a lightsource such that the wireless controller reverts to a default state; ifthe motion sensor is not determined to be disposed within the space,determining if a light sensor is disposed within the space; if themotion sensor is not determined to be disposed within the space and thelight sensor is determined to be disposed within the space, sending asignal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller iscontrolled by the light sensor.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a signal from the light sensor indicating that alux level of the space is below a predetermined level; and sending asignal to the wireless controller to cause the light source to brighten,the light source being disposed in the space.
 3. The method of claim 1,receiving a signal from the light sensor indicating that a lux level ofthe space is above a predetermined level; and sending a signal to thewireless controller such that the wireless controller causes the lightsource to dim, the light source being disposed in the space.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising, if the motion sensor is disposedwithin the space, resetting, in response to an indication from themotion sensor that the space is occupied, the timeout timer.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the threshold time duration is thirtyminutes.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: if the (1) themotion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) the light sensoris not disposed within the space, sending, in response to an indicationthat the space is not scheduled to be occupied, a signal to the wirelesscontroller such that the wireless controller reverts to the defaultstate.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the default state is OFF.
 8. Anapparatus, comprising: a wireless switch including a capacitive touchpad and a first antenna, the first antenna coupled to the capacitivetouch pad and configured to capacitively excite the capacitive touch padsuch that the capacitive touch pad and the first antenna functioncollectively as a second antenna; and a network gateway deviceconfigured to be wirelessly coupled to (1) the wireless switch, (2) alight sensor disposed in a space, and (3) a wireless controller that isseparate and remote from the wireless switch and that is coupled to alight source that is configured to provide a lux level to the space, thenetwork gateway device configured to receive, from the light sensor, anindication of an ambient light level of the space, the network gatewaydevice configured to receive, from the wireless switch, a signalindicative of a request for the light source to be turned on, thenetwork gateway device configured to send to the wireless controller, inresponse to the signal indicative of a request for the light source tobe turned on received from the wireless switch, a command configured tocause the light source to increase in brightness an amount based on theambient light of the space.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: thenetwork gateway device is configured to receive a signal indicating thata timeout timer has crossed a threshold time duration, if a motionsensor is disposed within the space, the network gateway deviceconfigured to send a signal to the wireless controller such that thewireless controller reverts to a default state.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the default state is ON.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein: the network gateway device is configured to receive a datapacket including an identification of a motion sensor disposed withinthe space, the network gateway device is configured to associate themotion sensor with the wireless controller.
 12. The apparatus of claim8, wherein: the network gateway device is configured to receive, fromthe light sensor, an indication of the lux level of the space; thenetwork gateway device is configured to send a signal to the wirelesscontroller such that a brightness level of the light source changes tomaintain the lux level of the space within a predetermined range. 13.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the predetermined range is between350 lux and 450 lux.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the networkgateway device is wirelessly coupled to the wireless controller via twochannels simultaneously.
 15. A method, comprising: receiving a signalindicating that a timeout timer associated with a space has crossed athreshold time duration; determining if a motion sensor is disposedwithin the space; if the motion sensor is determined to be disposedwithin the space, sending a signal to a wireless controller operativelycoupled to a light source within the space such that the wirelesscontroller reverts to a default state; if the motion sensor is notdetermined to be disposed within the space, determining if one of anindication that the space is not scheduled to be occupied and anindication that the space is scheduled to be occupied has been received;and if the motion sensor is not determined to be disposed within thespace and the indication is received that the space is not scheduled tobe occupied, sending a signal to the wireless controller such that thewireless controller reverts to the default state.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising if (1) the motion sensor is not disposedwithin the space and (2) the indication is received that the space isscheduled to be occupied, allowing the wireless controller to continuein a present state.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprisingwirelessly receiving, from a battery-powered capacitive touch switch, asignal indicative of a request to increase a brightness of the lightsource.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising wirelesslyreceiving, from a battery-powered capacitive touch switch, a signalindicative of a request to reduce a brightness of the light source. 19.The method of claim 15, further comprising wirelessly receiving, from abattery-powered capacitive touch switch, a signal indicative of arequest to turn off the light source.
 20. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the wireless switch includes a plurality of zones, each zonefrom the plurality of zones associated with a set of lighting valuesstored in a memory of the wireless controller, the wireless switchconfigured to send a signal to the wireless controller to adjust thebrightness of the light source according to the set of stored lightingvalues associated with a particular zone of the plurality of zones inresponse to a user's physical interaction with the particular zone ofthe wireless switch.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each zonefrom the plurality of zones can include a capacitive sensing feature,the wireless switch configured to operate in a first mode at a firstsample rate, the wireless switch configured to operate in a second modeat a second sample rate upon sensing a change in capacitance, the secondsample rate being faster than the first sampling rate, the switchconfigured to analyze a plurality of samples of the capacitance level ofa particular zone of the plurality of zones to determine whether thedetection of a user's interaction was a false detection.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the wireless switch includes a firstprinted circuit board and a second printed circuit board, the firstprinted circuit board including the capacitive touch pad, the secondprinted circuit board coupled to the first printed circuit board suchthat a trace can run from the capacitive touch pad of the first printedcircuit board to a microprocessor via the second printed circuit board,the capacitive touch pad configured to sense a change in capacitancecaused by the presence of a user's finger near the capacitive touch pad.23. The apparatus of claim 8, the wireless switch further including afirst printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board, thefirst printed circuit board coupled to the second printed circuit boardvia a connector, the first antenna being a planar inverted F antenna,the first antenna being coupled to the first printed circuit board and aground on the second printed circuit board via the connector.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein the first antenna includes a passiveresonating element, the passive resonating element disposed on thesecond printed circuit board.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein thefirst antenna includes at least one conductor that is shaped as an arch,the first antenna including a shorting pin and a feed point, theshorting pin and the feed point coupled to the arch at a non-orthogonalangle relative to each other.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein thefirst antenna can include a plurality of parallel segments on an end ofthe at least one conductor, a first segment of the plurality of parallelsegments coupled to a second segment of the plurality of parallelsegments via a first end of the first segment, the first segment coupledto a third segment of the plurality of parallel segments via a secondend of the first segment.
 27. The apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising the light sensor, the light sensor including a mountingdevice, a photodiode, a filter, and a lens, the photodiode, the filter,and the lens disposed within the mounting device, the mounting deviceblocking substantially all light from entering the mounting deviceexcept through the lens.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein thelens, filter, and photodiode have a cosine square light transferresponse.
 29. An apparatus, comprising: a wireless switch including aplurality of zones, each zone from the plurality of zones associatedwith a set of lighting values stored in a memory of the wirelesscontroller, the wireless switch configured to send a signal to thewireless controller to adjust the brightness of the light sourceaccording to the set of stored lighting values associated with aparticular zone of the plurality of zones in response to a user'sphysical interaction with the particular zone of the wireless switch,each zone from the plurality of zones including a capacitive sensingfeature, the wireless switch configured to operate in a first mode at afirst sample rate, the wireless switch configured to operate in a secondmode at a second sample rate upon sensing a change in capacitance, thesecond sample rate being faster than the first sampling rate, the switchconfigured to analyze a plurality of samples of the capacitance level ofa particular zone of the plurality of zones to determine whether thedetection of a user's interaction was a false detection; and a networkgateway device configured to be wirelessly coupled to (1) the wirelessswitch, (2) a light sensor disposed in a space, and (3) a wirelesscontroller that is separate and remote from the wireless switch and thatis coupled to a light source that is configured provide a lux level tothe space, the network gateway device configured to receive, from thelight sensor, an indication of an ambient light level of the space, thenetwork gateway device configured to receive, from the wireless switch,a signal indicative of a request for the light source to be turned on,the network gateway device configured to send to the wirelesscontroller, in response to the signal indicative of a request for thelight source to be turned on received from the wireless switch, acommand configured to cause the light source to increase in brightnessan amount based on the ambient light of the space.
 30. The apparatus ofclaim 29, wherein: the network gateway device is configured to receive asignal indicating that a timeout timer has crossed a threshold timeduration, if a motion sensor is disposed within the space, the networkgateway device configured to send a signal to the wireless controllersuch that the wireless controller reverts to a default state.
 31. Theapparatus of claim 29, wherein: the network gateway device is configuredto receive a data packet including an identification of a motion sensordisposed within the space, the network gateway device is configured toassociate the motion sensor with the wireless controller.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 29, wherein: the network gateway device is configuredto receive, from the light sensor, an indication of the lux level of thespace; the network gateway device is configured to send a signal to thewireless controller such that a brightness level of the light sourcechanges to maintain the lux level of the space within a predeterminedrange.
 33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the network gateway deviceis wirelessly coupled to the wireless controller via two channelssimultaneously.
 34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the wirelessswitch includes a first printed circuit board and a second printedcircuit board, each capacitive sensing feature of each zone from theplurality of zones being included in the first printed circuit board,each capacitive sensing feature of each zone from the plurality of zonesincluding at least one capacitive touch pad for sensing a change incapacitance caused by the presence of a user's finger near the at leastone capacitive touch pad, the second printed circuit board coupled tothe first printed circuit board such that a trace can run from the atleast one capacitive touch pad of the first printed circuit board to amicrocontroller via the second printed circuit board.